About Child Protection
Working together with families and communities to keep children and youth safe and well.
If you feel that a child or youth may be at risk of harm due to abuse or neglect, call us immediately. If you are uncertain … just call. We have trained staff who will listen to your concerns and gather information necessary to determine next steps.
In Simcoe and Muskoka call 1-800-461-4236
You can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
When to call?
- If you are concerned about a child, youth or family in your community
- If you are struggling to find support to help with the care and safety of your children
- if you are a youth in need to support
What happens when I call?
A Child Protection Worker will listen to your concerns and assess the information received to determine the most appropriate steps to take. We may help to connect families with supports in the community. We will work with families and communities to address any issues that may pose a risk of harm to children/youth. We meet with children/youth, parents and others involved with families to listen to all voices and work collaboratively to make plans to ensure the safety and well being of children and youth.
Why contact us?
We all share a responsibility to protect children from harm.
Section 125 of the CYFSA states that the public, including professionals who work with children, must promptly report any suspicions that a child is, or may be, in need of protection to a children’s aid society (society).
Check out this Ontario Brochure about your Duty to report Child Abuse & Neglect: https://files.ontario.ca/pdf-3/mccss-report-child-abuse-and-neglect-en-2022-03-31.pdf
On January 1, 2018, Ontario raised the age of protection from 16 to 18. A professional, or member of the public, who is concerned that a 16-or 17- year-old is, or may be, in need of protection may, but is not required to, make a report to a CAS.
If you are a 16 or 17 year old and are looking for more information about services we offer:
If you are a youth-serving agency:
Our Service Principles
Services offered by SMFC are guided by our guiding principles. When you receive services from our agency you should expect our approach to follow these principles.
Dress Purple Day
Once again, this October, SMFC and other Children’s Aid Societies across the province raise awareness about the important role that individuals and communities play in supporting vulnerable children, youth, and families. On Dress Purple Day, Children’s Aid Societies collaborate with key partners to speak up for every child and youth’s right to safety and well-being.
The Dress Purple Day campaign also aims to raise awareness about the supports and services available in communities across Ontario and how they can be accessed. On the last Friday of every October, supporters wear purple to remind children, youth, and families that they are not alone.
Dress Purple Day 2024 will take place on Friday, October 25.
This year, we will also be wearing purple to send a message to the Ontario government – far too many children, youth, and families across the province are struggling to access the community-based care vital to their health and well-being. In some communities, the supports and services just do not exist or there are lengthy waitlists that make accessing the right care, at the right time, close to home, impossible. That’s why, this year, Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies and provincial partners are urging Ontario to step up and strengthen social infrastructure in communities across the province.
Click here to read our open letter addressed to Premier Doug Ford.
The open letter is signed by organizations dedicated to supporting children, youth, and families across the province. They include municipalities and non-profits, as well as organizations in child welfare, immigration and refugee services, integrated youth services, mental health care, community health, child development and rehabilitation, child and family services, intellectual and developmental disabilities, hunger relief, housing, and social work.
On October 27th, we courage you to:
- Share info on social media
- Dress Purple
- Use the additional resources provided by OACAS:
Ontario Child & Youth in Care Day
Every May 14th, we celebrate Ontario Children and Youth in Care Day.
We want to use this opportunity to share the ongoing OACAS campaign #ForgetMeNot campaign, that is about sharing the stories of young people with experience in child welfare and reminding community, government, and service providers that these children and youth need critical supports. They cannot be forgotten, and we all have a part to play in making sure that children and youth in care have their rights supported and their needs met.
This campaign is another opportunity to highlight some of the ways the community can support these youth through mentoring, tutoring, volunteering, fostering, and more. For more information, visit: https://www.oacas.org/publications-and-campaigns/childrenandyouthincare/
